The number of confirmed cases in Sabah still remain high, the virus was like a wind blowing into every house, and more and more people were diagnosed.

When Sabah Basel Church was puzzling don’t know what to do, they received a call from HISTEAM 7979 encouraged their church to attend a vision sharing meeting of “7979 Love Quarantine” project. Responses from churches were very fast, some churches instantly agreed to participate in this project, and set off to work on establishing quarantine house in their respective area immediately. These areas were Kota Kinabalu, Tuaran and Sandakan, 3 areas with 11 quarantine rooms. Among these were Sunday School rooms that had been vacant for long time, they turned it into 5 isolated quarantine rooms; there were also vacant shop lots that being turned into quarantine house. Some churches also opened up their parsonages to host those who needed to be quarantined.     

The Chief Person in Charge, Rev Rosemary Chong shared: “It was the church’s deacons who really made the decision. They were willing to open up the vacant buildings that enable the establishment of quarantine house.” The fulfilment of a ministry depends not only on physical equipment, but also on people willing to serve together. When the church decided to set up quarantine house, they split 8 individuals into 2 teams. One team was the executing team which in charge of all labour works regarding quarantine house, the other group was the management team, they were in charge of all administration matters regarding quarantine house, such as finance. Whether it is purchasing, cleaning, disinfection and meals, we did it together and contribute our strength. Just like the body of Christ, everyone does their part to accomplish God’s work. Quarantine houses, too, cannot be built by one person alone, but when we worked together, in just 3 days, 9 quarantine rooms were set up. 
​       
Yu Ting said: “I’m very thankful to the church for they had helped me when I’m in difficulty.” When she realised that she needed to be quarantine, she was very scared, knowing that there were people around her who had been diagnosed, she was worried that she might had contracted the virus. “Aside from fear, the first thing that came to my mind was, no matter what the situation is,  I must self-quarantine at the soonest possible, I don’t want my family to be contracted.” Initially she was assigned to a hotel at suburb area, later on she moved to the church’s quarantine house. “I was so happy; I think that it is safer to stay at the church.” When she was at the church, she received many caring phone calls from church brothers and sisters. So coincident, her birthday fell on those few days of quarantine, so the church gave her a birthday cake to celebrate.

​Sabah Basel Church spent much efforts to set up quarantine houses, but God miraculously brought a little girl in need of quarantine into their midst before they were ready. If they had turn down the young lady with the excuse of “We are still not ready.” Will they miss the reward of serving this little one? The ministry that God wants us to do, many times it started before we are even ready. When the church finally completed everything, surprisingly God did not send anyone else *. Do you think that it is a waste? I don’t think so, I believe that God’s plan is always the best, just like the Bible’s verse, God does remember and will rewards those who had extended assistance to this little one.   
  
In the future, this quarantine house project will eventually come to an end. However, there are still  various needs in the community, the church still has to be ready to go beyond the four walls into the community, and give every little one a cup of cold water.

(*Later in October, after our interview, the church took in another 3 individuals.)     

Besides this, operating a quarantine house need a lot of manpower, cleaning and sanitizing alone already required a lot of manpower. For this matter, the church hired some people who have lost their jobs due to the pandemic. Although the wages were not high, but they can at least have a job and make a living. Not only that, the church also bought a lot of pandemic prevention supplies, such as mask and oximeter. If anyone needs supplies, the church will give them away free of charge in response to the needs of the pandemic.

Some people could get nervous and scare whenever they heard the word “quarantine”. The church came out with the idea of using “food delicacy” to tackle this issue. Every day, the church’s kitchen team would prepare delicious meals, although it may not be sumptuous, yet this well thought and carefully prepared food could ease some of the anxiety during quarantine. Meanwhile, the church also arranged two groups of counsellors to minister to these occupants.      

“Under privilege poor community need special attention and care. We are very thankful for the emergence of quarantine house ministry, it allows people who needed quarantine to have a safe place for quarantine.” Sis. Ruo Qi shared, that she herself was also one of the residents in quarantine house who came into contact with a diagnosed patient because of her ministry. She was very grateful for the church started the quarantine house ministry, because the quarantine house not only allows people who need quarantine to have a proper place to go, but also let people experience God’s love during quarantine.      

Later on, Pr. Lily who also happened to stay in the church’s quarantine house before, shared: “If we are believers of Christ, isn’t it good that we can spend more time with God during quarantine? This is another form of blessing.” She believed the establishment of quarantine house gave hope and assistance to those who don’t have space for quarantine.   

He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; ….
Psalms 91:4

​7979 Guide & Care · Word/LYZ

​During pandemic, 7979 companionship class also faces various limitations and difficulties. Without physical classes, it is difficult for teachers to fully grasp the condition of the students. Gradually, everyone became stranger. Therefore, 6 churches started to convert their physical companionship class to online version, hoping that while the students will not be left out in their studies, the teachers can also maintain close relationship with their students. They are Abundant Grace Assembly Of God, Puchong Christian Alliance Centre, Seremban Gospel Chapel (Chinese), Full Gospel Mission Centre Jelebu, Elim Gospel Hall Ipoh (Chinese Assembly) and Southern Ipoh Presbyterian Church. Although in the process of setting up, the teachers faced many tough challenges and difficulties, but everything was worthwhile when they saw the reassuring rainbows after the rain.  “Some students who used to be bad in Math, now they have improved so much that they can guide others.” Students shared this proudly with smile on their faces. Another student added on shyly: “Teachers … care for me just like a mother”. The way she shared it with me just like sharing a long kept secret.    

During operation, most companionship classes’teachers faced similar difficulties, that is everyone is not familiar with operating the require electronic devices. However, in order to enable companionship class children to continue to grow in their studies and spiritual health, the teachers bravely face the toughest challenges themselves.  Teacher Mary of Puchong Christian Alliance Centre shared: “Honestly speaking, I’m a computer idiot, yet I’m very thankful that a sister is willing to teach me, only after her coaching, I forced myself to start online companionship class. I’m also very thankful, that during this pandemic I have gained some new skills, and use it to teach the students.” We saw it ourselves these teachers are not willing to let pandemic stop them from accompanying the children, instead they want the children to realize that the teachers’ love for them will not stop even during pandemic.   

​The purpose of activating online companionship class is also because we want to create an opportunity for the students to build a strong foundation, and to refresh what they had learned. After sometime of attending online companionship class, the teachers felt so happy and relieved to see the students’ improvement in their grades. This is the biggest comfort to the teachers. After paying much effort in cultivating their spiritual lives, the teachers begin to see that they do keep the teaching of the Word in their heart. Whenever anyone became ill, they would sincerely pray for them, care and comfort each other. A student shared: “When you get close with God, then God will be closed to you.” It is just like a mustard seed sprout in a child’s heart, one simple teaching, very truthful and indispensable. It becomes the lamp which lights out their path, whenever they face troubles in their lives, they can apply these truths in their lives and make the right decision.

Compare with physical class, students are bolder and more interactive during online class. Maybe, it is because of the absent of crowd attention, the students can express themselves comfortably. In the past, during physical class, the students are shy to speak out, they worried that their answer might be wrong. Now, with this online class, the students’ confident boost up, and expressive skills improve too. They will sign in earlier for the online class just for the purpose of chatting with teachers of their daily lives or ask teachers on their school assignment. Through this online class, the teachers and students’ rapport becomes deeper. Online companionship class also helps the student in terms of time management, in order to be punctual for online class, some students will wait idly before the computer for the teachers to get online. We can imagine how lonely are the students during pandemic that they are so looking forward to meet up with the teachers and students in companionship class.

The teachers are very grateful for they are able to teach the children even during pandemic. Even though, pandemic creates distance between one another, yet because of love, it brings people heart together as well. The teachers hope that the teaching team can be expanded, so that more students can be blessed by companionship class ministry. At the same time, reaching out to more primary schools through companionship class, then the community will be blessed – an act of love that can be felt by everyone.

​HOST WITH LOVE · NO OBSTACLES
Together We Go & Save · Written by Rev. Andrew Wong